...As people age, they can face more difficulties in caring for themselves, therefore they need help with washing, dressing, eating ,drinking and walking. When we look at James’s case study we can see that this client lost his vision and he needs daily support with personal hygiene. Every morning James needs assistance in washing and dressing. We should ask him if he wants a bed bath, a shower or bath to give him a choice. Washing and bathing is an intimate procedure so it is very important to remember about privacy and person’s dignity. The client can feel embarrassed, helpless, resistant or even aggressive. We have to always give him a choice and independence if it is possible. James also has to be allowed the time to wash whatever he could...
Words: 811 - Pages: 4
...Sepsis An Overview Health And Social Care Essay ukessays.com /essays/health-and-social-care/sepsis-an-overview-health-and-social-careessay.php Sepsis is an infection of the bloodstream. The infection tends to spread quickly and often is difficult to recognize. One of our roles as a nurse is that of patient advocate, and as such we are closest to the patient, placing us in a key position to identify any subtle changes at their earliest onset and prevent the spread of severe infection. Knowledge of the signs and symptoms of SIRS, sepsis, and septic shock is key to early recognition. Early recognition allows for appropriate treatment to begin sooner, decreasing the likelihood of septic shock and life-threatening organ failure. Once sepsis is diagnosed, early and aggressive treatment can begin, which greatly reduces mortality rates associated with sepsis. sep•sis (ˈsep-səs) n. Sometimes called blood poisoning, sepsis is the body's often deadly response to infection or injury (Merriam-Webster, 2011) Sepsis is a potentially life-threatening condition caused by the immune system's reaction to an infection; it is the leading cause of death in intensive care units (Mayo Clinic Staff, Mayo Clinic 2010). It is defined by the presence of 2 or more SIRS (systemic inflammatory response syndrome) criteria in the setting of a documented or presumed infection (Rivers, McIntyre, Morro, Rivers, 2005 pg 1054). Chemicals that are released into the blood to fight infection trigger widespread inflammation...
Words: 3635 - Pages: 15
...Nosocomial Infections By princessbec76 | Studymode.com Section 1: Infections in Healthcare Settings Essay. Nosocomial infections, hospital acquired infections, are an on-going concern to healthcare professionals. These infections are one of the major causes of death in hospitalised patients and are a significant burden on not only the patient’s and the public’s health (as organisms causing nosocomial infections can be transmitted to the community through discharged patients, staff and visitors) but also the economy. A nosocomial infection is an infection acquired at least 72 hours after being admitted into hospital for any reason other than the infection or one which develops amongst hospital staff. Infections are also identified as nosocomial if they appear in a patient within 30 days after their discharge from hospital. Non nosocomial infections, community acquired infections, are infections acquired anywhere other than the hospital. The most common places where non nosocomial infections occur are schools, day care centres and sports facilities. They are spread through skin to skin contact, cuts and grazes, overcrowding and poor hygiene. The illnesses or infections can be the same, for example, pneumonia or gastroenteritis but it is the setting that they are contracted in which differentiate the two infections. Nosocomial infections occur worldwide and affect both wealthy, developed countries as well as the poorer ones with scarce resources. A survey conducted by the World...
Words: 1639 - Pages: 7
...According to Urden, Stacy, and Lough (2006), shock is a life-threatening condition that can lead to ineffective tissue perfusion or may further progress to multiple organ dysfunction and death. The different types of shock include hypovolemic shock, cardiogenic shock, anaphylactic shock, neurogenic shock, and septic shock (Urden, Stacy, & Lough, 2006). This essay will analyze septic shock based on the analysis of a presented case study. To further understand this concept, a review of treatment and management of septic shock as used in the writer’s practice setting will be discussed. The writer chooses the “case study one” as an issue of septic shock because Karen’s vital signs, physiological and behavioral symptoms are clear indicators of septic shock. Septic shock is described as the body’s inflammatory response to overwhelming infection (Urden, Stacy & Lough 2006). It is also classified as existence of an infection with hypotension despite fluid replacement along with the presence of tissue perfusion abnormalities (Urden, Stacy & Lough 2006). According to Bench (2004), the diagnostic criteria for septic shock include a heart rate greater than 90 beats per minute, a respiratory rate greater than 20 beats per minutes, an increased white cell count, hypotension, and temperature greater than 38 degrees or less than 36 degrees. Karen met these criteria with an increased temperature of 41 degrees which is usually an indicator of infection, increased heart rate and respiratory...
Words: 1113 - Pages: 5
...Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Inpatient Quality Indicators xxxxxxxx xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx March 2, 2015 Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality: Inpatient Quality Indicators The purpose of this capstone paper is to discuss the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality's (AHRQ) approach to quality and safety as this pertains to inpatient quality indicators. This will assist with better understanding what efforts are being taken within the contemporary healthcare system and by contemporary healthcare organizations in order to maximize the quality of care delivered to patients. The discussion within the essay will have three main parts. The first part will explain and analyze the significance of the topic under consideration here for clinical nursing practice. The second part will discuss information from the selected topic that can be applied in order to improve professional nursing practice and complex client care. The third part will evaluate the potential outcomes that may result from the application of the information from the topic to nursing practice. Before shifting into the body of the main discussion, though, it may be appropriate to discuss the AHRQ itself in greater detail. In the AHRQ's (2015a) own words, the organization's mission "is to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, affordable, and to work within the U.S. Department of Health and Human...
Words: 3178 - Pages: 13
...Essentials of Psychology SSC130 Essay 25072400 The Canon-Bard Theory of Emotion Of the three models of emotion, I have chosen to describe, and relate my personal life to the Canon-Bard Theory. In summary, the Canon-Bard Theory states that the stimulus of the thalamus (or hypothalamus and limbic system with regards to new research) sends signals to both the autonomic nervous system (ANS), and to the cerebral cortex simultaneously to produce emotion. In my daily life as a surgical research anesthetist, I am faced with many crisis situations in which quick response is a necessity. I believe that the Canon-Bard Theory is the most accurate description of the way that I perceive emotions in crisis situations. Being a surgical research anesthetist sounds like a pretty dull and boring job to most people. Some people might think that all one does, is sit in a chair and watch the repetitive blips on a monitor. They would be wrong. It is actually a puzzle. It is a complex puzzle that requires your complete attention and the ability to recognize the events that could lead to a life or death situation. For seventeen years I have studied all aspects of surgery and anesthesia. I have seen hundreds, if not thousands of surgeries. The majority of the anesthetic plans that I have designed have been successful and uneventful, but there have been cases in which something goes wrong or someone makes a mistake that can get you out of your chair, fast! The surgeries being performed...
Words: 996 - Pages: 4
...MIDW113 – Jodie Sparke S00163149_assess2 b). Postnatal case study – Gina is a 34 year old G2 P2 woman, day 2 post caesarean section. You enter her room to find her teary and upset; she tells you she had planned on having a natural birth in a midwifery led model of care. However, she experienced an emergency caesarean section after her baby showed signs of fetal distress. Describe and discuss the role and responsibilities of the midwife in providing pre and post-operative care to a woman in Gina’s position. You are expected to demonstrate, plan and evaluate safe, holistic, woman centred evidence-based midwifery care. This paper considers a postnatal case study of Gina, a day two post-operative, 34 year old Gravida 2 Para 2 woman. She experienced an Emergency Caesarean Section (ECS) resulting from fetal distress. This essay will investigate why birth can become an emergency and the evidence-based indications involved in decision making. It will explore the roles and responsibilities of a midwife in both the pre and post-operative support of a woman; based on a safe, woman centred and holistic approach to maternal care. It will discuss the emotional effects an ECS can have on a woman and her family as a crucial aspect in this case. An integral part of the preparation for birth is a birth plan. This allows the woman to detail how she would like her labour/birth to progress. It often includes the expectation of a natural vaginal birth. However, due to a variety of physiological...
Words: 1790 - Pages: 8
...The aim of the essay is to analyse the care of a septic patient. While discussing the relevant physiological changes and the rationale for the treatment the patient received, concentrating on fluid intervention. I recognise there are other elements to the Surviving Sepsis Bundles, however due to word limitation; the focus will be on fluid intervention. The essay will be written as a Case Study format. To maintain patient confidentiality any identifying features have been removed in keeping with the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Code of Professional Conduct (NMC, 2008) the patient will be referred to as Mr X. Mr X was an 80-year-old male admitted to ITU, from the Medical Assessment Unit, with increasing respiratory failure. His initial clinical observations were: Systolic Blood Pressure: 100mmHg MAP: 58mmHg Heart Rate: 120 beats per minute Lactate: 3.2mmol/l Temperature: 38.6* These clinical observations indicated that the patient was experiencing a systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) as the patient had a pyrexia above 38*C and a heart rate above 90 beats per minute. The results of the blood cultures and chest radiograph indicated pneumonia. The patient’s condition was now treated as sepsis. Sepsis is characterized by SIRS, which is complicated by a severe infection (Neveire, Parsons and Wilson 2008). The pathophysiology of systemic inflammatory response, experienced by Mr X is portrayed in Table 1: Table 1 Morton et al 2005 Mediator | Source...
Words: 3132 - Pages: 13
...presentations of necrotizing fascitis and associated sepsis. The rationale for choosing this condition is to enable me to efficiently differentiate between those cases that require immediate medical or surgical intervention and treatment and those that can be managed effectively as an outpatient, and to gain a keen understanding of the pathogenesis of the condition. The terms cellulitis and erysipelas are often used interchangeably and current usage tends to regard erysipelas as a form of cellulitis rather than a separate entity, making clear distinction difficult (Hay 2004, Kilburn et al 2010). Erysipelas affects the upper dermis and superficial lymphatics, with distinctly raised lesions and clear lines of demarcation between involved and uninvolved tissue. Cellulitis extends more deeply, involving the deeper dermis and subcutaneous fat and lacks the distinctive anatomical features of erysipelas. For the purpose of this essay I will be using the term ‘cellulitis’ to refer to both conditions. This essay will endeavor to discuss the incidence, its clinical presentation, risk factors, differential diagnosis, pathophysiology and classification according to severity of cellulitis with reference to current and relevant literature. The management of cellulitis will not be discussed as it goes beyond the capacity of this essay to accommodate this highly researched area (See appendix IV for empirical antibiotics used to treat common SSTIs). Incidence Skin and soft tissue infections...
Words: 3353 - Pages: 14
...The purpose of this essay is to critically explore and discuss the holistic care and management of a chosen patient from a recent clinical placement. The patient which has been chosen has had an exacerbation of a chronic problem. Management options which are or have been available to the designated nurse will be critically discussed alongside the justification of the plan of care which will or has been implemented. The role of the registered nurse in relation to safe and effective decision making will be explored. A discussion of the decision making process which has been chosen for the patient will be noted and this will be related to known theoretical models of clinical decision making. It will also critically examine the importance of managing risk in health care to enhance the patient care and outcomes and this will be related to the chosen patient and clinical scenario. Finally it will also critically appraise the evidence base that supports the discussion. The chosen patient is a 42 year old male who has been admitted to the current clinical placement, which is the local spinal injuries centre, after numerous complaints of recurrent urinary tract infections. All patient identifiable information has been changed to protect the patients’ identity in accordance with the Nursing and Midwifery (NMC) guidelines regarding confidentiality (NMC, 2004). Mr Scott had previously been an inpatient to the Spinal Unit following a road traffic accident in September 2004, the outcome...
Words: 2515 - Pages: 11
...is for the five percent of patients who are in their final year of life, and most of that money goes for care in their last couple of months, which is of little apparent benefit (p. 3). Even more concerning is the suffering that many patients are forced to endure due to the lack of other options. Patients must have the right to make autonomous decisions regarding the end of their lives. They need to be confident that those decisions will be upheld, even if they conflict with the wishes of their families or physicians. However, patient confidence in knowing that their final wishes will be met is complicated by a lack of education and empowerment for those who face these difficult decisions (Frank & Anselmi, 2011). The purpose of this essay is to discuss the benefits to patient autonomy and the Medicare budget, by the legalization of physician-assisted suicide and voluntary euthanasia. Legalizing Euthanasia: A Practical Approach Imagine that your beloved pet suffered a stroke and could no longer eat, drink, walk, or care for itself the way it had been able to do previously. Would you have a feeding tube inserted into him and care for his every personal need? The answer to this question may seem obvious when discussing a pet, but what...
Words: 2318 - Pages: 10
...Reflective Essay on Managing Compex Situations Name Course Details Professor’s Name University Affiliation City and State Date Reflective essay on Managing Complex Situations Introduction As a health care assistant working with the district of nurses, I have gone through some of the most complex situations that often leave me with complex decisions. Ideally, some of these situations have greatly impacted on my understanding of various patients who I handle on my day-to-day activities in the health care sector. While working with District Nurses who are involved with visiting patients in various homes in the community, I encountered patients with various psychological and physiological disorders. Prudently, it is worthwhile to note that the patients who we visited had various health problems that ranged from individuals who were housebound and could not travel to seek medical attention. Besides, some of the patients had nursing needs such as leg ulcer dressing, wound dressing, pressure ulcer dressings, and catheter insertion as well as its removal. Description One of the most complex situations that I experienced was trying to take blood from an elderly patient with dementia. Since the patient was at her residential home and had never seen me before, she was not aware of my main purpose for visiting. Moreover, I had no prior knowledge of her state with dementia. At the time of my arrival, the patient was comfortably sitting in her chair while cradling her...
Words: 2876 - Pages: 12
...Reflective Essay on Managing Compex Situations Name Course Details Professor’s Name University Affiliation City and State Date Reflective essay on Managing Complex Situations Introduction As a health care assistant working with the district of nurses, I have gone through some of the most complex situations that often leave me with complex decisions. Ideally, some of these situations have greatly impacted on my understanding of various patients who I handle on my day-to-day activities in the health care sector. While working with District Nurses who are involved with visiting patients in various homes in the community, I encountered patients with various psychological and physiological disorders. Prudently, it is worthwhile to note that the patients who we visited had various health problems that ranged from individuals who were housebound and could not travel to seek medical attention. Besides, some of the patients had nursing needs such as leg ulcer dressing, wound dressing, pressure ulcer dressings, and catheter insertion as well as its removal. Description One of the most complex situations that I experienced was trying to take blood from an elderly patient with dementia. Since the patient was at her residential home and had never seen me before, she was not aware of my main purpose for visiting. Moreover, I had no prior knowledge of her state with dementia. At the time of my arrival, the patient was comfortably sitting in her chair while cradling her...
Words: 2876 - Pages: 12
...EDUCATION Critical thinking and analysis: a model for written assignments Sharon L Edwards W hat is critical analysis? In the author’s personal experience this question has been answered by the following statement: ‘It is being critical of the literature.’ However, this does not answer the question. A literature search also failed to provide any information on critical analysis. The justification for developing a model for critical analysis, however, was not solely the lack of available literature. Other reasons included: to provide a definition of the terms; and to help both educationalists and students interpret the concepts involved. Nurse educationalists and nursing students lack a clear understanding of the critical processes and this could severely diminish the profession’s ability to articulate issues that are imperative to the advancement of nursing practice in the future. This article recommends a model of critical analysis that can be used by students and educationalists. It suggests that critical thinking and analysis are interrelated and complementary, but not synonymous. It gives examples of the model’s components in order to clarify their meaning. The model will hopefully give students a premise on which to base their assignments, and nurse educationalists will be able to incorporate it into their teaching practice. It will also provide an element of reality to critical analysis which will prevent it from becoming so abstract and idealistic as to render...
Words: 6508 - Pages: 27
...Discuss the role of leaders and leadership in serving as effective change agents. Abstract Change has an important place in the study of organizational life. Whether a corporate giant or a small start-up, every organization today faces the challenge to change and adapt, either as a response to the external environment or simply a deliberate internal procedure to re-look at business operations to maintain its viability. Generally, people are usually inclined to defend the status-quo and resist change for a multitude of reasons ranging from a straightforward intellectual disagreement to deep-seated psychological factors. The degree of skepticism and resistance to change from employees make implementation difficult and their counter-productive behaviors tend to jeopardise the success of the change process and thus the intended objectives. Successfully reducing resistance and motivating employees through the transition is vital in organizational change efforts. Salient factors from literature reviews in enabling organizational change are presented and the need of leadership and role of leaders as effective change agents is discussed in this essay. Successful organisational change is about the interplay of all organizational elements such as human resources, systems and technologies. Good leaders and leadership skills have been identified as pivotal to garnering support of people in championing change initiatives that steer organisations...
Words: 6359 - Pages: 26
